Phobias are usually only presented to clinical practice when (i) avoidance of the phobic
situation is no longer possible and/or (ii) when the phobia is secondary to a larger pattern set of
problem behaviours.

Blood/Injections - most commonly seen in medical/clinical/dental settings.

Agoraphobia - most common of the "psychiatric" or "complex" phobias. Often
occurring with other psychiatric disorders such as depression and body dysmorphic disorders,
physical disorders (deformity, chronic illness) and traumatic events (PTSD).

Social Anxiety/Blushing. Often a social developmental problem, issue of
identity and of belief.

Vomiting in Public - surprisingly common and often unspoken of by sufferers.

Phobias of snakes and spiders although common are rarely presented to clinical
practice for correction.

The Counter-Phobic Attitude

The psychoanalyst, Otto Fenichel, called attention to the fact that phobic anxiety can be hidden
behind attitudes and behaviour patterns that represent a denial, either of the dreaded object or
situation that is dangerous or that the person is afraid of it. Instead of being a passive
victim of external circumstances, a person reverses the situation and actively attempts to confront
and master whatever is feared. People with counter-phobic attitudes seek out situations of
danger and rush enthusiastically toward them. Devotees of potentially dangerous sports, such
as parachute jumping and rock climbing, may be exhibiting counter-phobic behaviour. Such
patterns may be secondary to phobic anxiety or may be a normal means of dealing with a realistically
dangerous situation. Children's play may exhibit counter-phobic elements, as when children
play doctor and give a doll the shot the received earlier that day in the paediatrician's
office. This pattern of behaviour may involve the related defence mechanism of identifying
with the aggressor.